Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Wow! What a night at the 7th Mathews Rotary Club’s Chili Cook-Off. Nearly 350 people, great chili and a true team effort by all five of the “competing” organizations.

This annual winter event is one of the most community oriented in Mathews County with the following civic organizations participating; Mathews Rotary Club, Mathews Historical Museum, Piankatank Ruritan Club, the Gwynn’s Island Civic League and Kingston Parish Episcopal Church. An All-Star line-up of groups who only have helping others as their total mission.

Keeping with that mission, all the funds raised go back in some form to help Mathews people. The Mathews Rotary Club won the Judges’ Award and the Gwynn’s Island Civic League won the People’s Choice Award. Congratulations to all of our participants as the voting was very close for all.

Our great judges were Mark and Joanne Letchworth and Brett Adkins. A special shout-out to the Piankatank Ruritan Club for use of their facility and...